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Monday, December 31, 2012

"I'm not eating it!" That's what my youngest (almost 30-year old) son said when he saw me preparing lunch.

"Don't be a food wuss," I told him.

Baked hot dogs are the culinary equivalent of a carnival ride, with a dash of comfort thrown in. ﻿

They're filling, warming, and easy to prepare.

Yet they do come with a warning.

These hot dogs require a fork, possibly a spoon.

And you can never, ever eat just one.

As withtraditional dogs, this recipe can be individualized for picky eaters--

onions and chili on one side of the pot,

a cheesy topping on the other.

Retro Baked Hot Dogs8 hot dog buns8 all-beef hot dogscondiments (mayonnaise, mustard, relish)chilionions, choppedcheese, shreddedSpread condiments inside the buns, the more the merrier if you're fond of ooey, gooey carnival food; less if you like your bun to stay intact and none if you live with picky eaters. Add one hot dog to each bun. If desired, top with chili, cheese, and chopped onions.Cover baking dish with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

While you're thinking, let's look at three beautiful vignettes that also have a common bond (note: these spaces aren't on the tour, but you can visit them by clicking a link at the bottom of this post).

These homes were built and designed in South Carolina. But that's not the common denominator.
Have you guessed?
All three spaces were created by Linda McDougald, a fabulously talented Charleston, South Carolina interior designer, and each home and vignette has its own flair. Sometimes a room's design is reflective of the designer, recognizable as a fingerprint, but it takes true skill to move between styles the way Linda does.

The homes we're going to tour have southern settings, but their decor rises far above regional conventions. These houses could be anywhere.

Let's start with a tour of a lakeside home.

Inside the sheltered porch, an ornate, antique iron bench lends instant patina to the stone facade. It's a welcoming spot, a place to drink a cup of tea, pull off your rain boots,

A round dining table sits in front of a stone fireplace. I love how the wood tones in the vaulted ceiling are echoed in the table and the mantel. Notice how the iron staircase compliments the chandelier's finish.

A powder room should be a little jewel box, filled with small details for your guests. This room accomplishes this and more. It looks like it might be a powder room in a period home, and the accessories are quietly elegant.

For the walls in this bedroom, interior designer Meredith L. Bohn used Benjamin Moore "Camouflage" in a matte finish. "This is a terrific shade that changes with the light and is an excellent neutral," she said.